Daisy Takes Charge (7 page)

T
he silence was broken by a proud chirrup from Nelli. The audience laughed then leapt to their feet, stamping, clapping and cheering. Maggie blushed and skipped a curtsey before fluttering back to her seat.

As the cheers subsided, Daisy noticed Grevillea stalk off through the crowd.

Daisy watched as Grevillea stepped into the forest, right where the songbirds were perched waiting.

She'll be checking on Boronia's lyrebird
, Daisy told herself. But for some reason, she felt uneasy.

‘May I be excused?' Daisy asked.

‘Why? What's wrong?' asked Efa.

‘Nothing,' Daisy answered. ‘I just want to check on Melody.'

Nen looked at her steadily. ‘All right. But make sure you're back before Maggie sings again,' she said.

‘I will be,' Daisy promised. Gesturing for Vu and Nelli to join her, she hurried after Grevillea.

As they stepped into the forest, Vu chirruped a question in Daisy's ear.

‘I'm not sure, Vu. I just have a feeling that something's not quite right,' Daisy explained.

The lyrebird was alone under the trees. There was no sign of Grevillea. Behind Daisy, the music started again. Grebe was on stage, singing another thumping tune. His boobook owl singing partner, perched on top of the fallen log, provided a deep-throated
woop woop
as the backbeat.

It wouldn't be long before it was Maggie and Melody's turn to sing. Daisy peered into the trees above her but couldn't see Melody. With Nelli and Vu following, Daisy flew up for a closer look.

She saw Grevillea on a branch, edging towards Melody and speaking quietly. Daisy crept closer to listen.

‘Maggie told everyone that Stormy is a much better singer,' Grevillea was telling Melody. The magpie cocked her head.

‘She is only singing with you,' Grevillea went on, ‘because she couldn't find Stormy.'

With a distressed warble, Melody took to the air, flying in a few confused circles before disappearing into the forest.

At first Daisy was too shocked to react. Then shock turned to anger.

‘You cheating liar!' Daisy yelled. ‘You're scared that Maggie's going to win.'

Grevillea spun around, her look of surprise quickly becoming one of scorn. ‘I'm not now,' Grevillea sneered. ‘You'll never find that magpie in time. And when your sister is disqualified, my Boronia will win.'

Daisy couldn't believe how spiteful Grevillea was. How could a grown-up cheat like this? Without thinking about the consequences, Daisy pulled out her wand and pointed it at Grevillea. ‘Words designed for causing harm, render silent with this charm.'

Grevillea tried to speak but no words would come out. She reached, as though to grab Daisy, but Nelli flew between them and wiggled her bottom in Grevillea's face, chirruping angrily.

‘I don't know how much you know about ladybirds,' said Daisy, ‘but they're excellent at defending themselves. And right now there's a powerfully stinky gas aimed in your direction.'

Grevillea gulped, taking a step back. Nelli waggled her bottom threateningly and Vu chittered for her not to move again. The older fairy froze mid-step.

With Nelli watching Grevillea, Daisy and Vu hurried back down to the clearing. Queen Jasmine was on her throne, watching Grebe sing. Daisy hesitated, wondering what to do. She could tell Queen Jasmine what Grevillea had done and Boronia might be disqualified. But without Melody, Maggie still couldn't perform in the finale.

Why did I speak to that horrible Grevillea?
thought Daisy, remembering their conversation at the rehearsal.
If Maggie loses now, it will be because of me!

Daisy couldn't let that happen! She had to find Melody. Grevillea could be dealt with later.

But no fairy could fly as fast as a magpie, and Melody had a long head start. Determined not to let Maggie down, Daisy opened her locket and took out her magic boots. Closing her locket again, she waved her wand over the boots and whispered, ‘Undo.'

The boots sprang back to full size. Daisy slipped them on. Now she could catch up to Melody. If she knew where she was.

But Melody could be anywhere. Even with her magic boots, Daisy couldn't search the whole forest.

Vu chittered something in Daisy's ear.

‘Good thinking, Vu! Magic can do the searching for me!'

Daisy closed her eyes. She imagined Melody flying through the forest. Holding the image firm in her mind, Daisy swished her wand and chanted, ‘I need to know where she could be. Send a guide to help me see.'

A tiny ball of silver light danced in the air before her. It darted to the right, then stopped, as though waiting for Daisy to follow.

Knowing what was coming next, Vu dug his claws into Daisy's dress, holding on tight. Daisy took a step forward. The light took off, whizzing through the forest. Leaping forward, Daisy followed.

T
he forest whizzed past in a blur of dark shadows. Daisy ran and ran, dodging around trees and leaping over ferns, chasing the darting, silver light. Then the light changed direction, streaking upwards, hugging the curves of a tree trunk. Fluttering her wings, Daisy followed it.

Melody was huddled miserably on the branch of a gum tree, her beak tucked under her wing. Daisy landed beside her.

‘Melody!' Daisy cried. ‘Thank goodness I found you.' Melody looked up, confused and surprised.

‘Don't be sad,' Daisy implored. ‘What Grevillea said wasn't true. She just wanted Boronia to win the Festival.'

Melody warbled uncertainly, but Daisy pressed on, aware that time was against them.

‘Maggie is good friends with both you and Stormy. Of course it was hard to decide who to perform with. But she chose you, Melody, and she was so happy that you were singing together. Please, don't let her down now. She needs you.'

Melody didn't answer.

Disappointment welled up inside Daisy. Maggie would be disqualified from the Festival, because
she
had said too much to Grevillea.

From his spot on Daisy's shoulder, Vu chittered that it was obvious Melody would be no help, and maybe he could sing with Maggie? Daisy wondered if Vu had lost his mind.

Then Melody warbled indignantly that no beetle was going to replace her! She launched herself into the air, flying in the direction of the Tea-Tree House Gardens.

‘Yes!' exclaimed Daisy.

With Vu's chuckles echoing in her ear, Daisy fluttered her wings to follow. But Melody was too quick! Knowing her magic boots would be faster, Daisy dove to the ground and ran. Using all her energy, Daisy bolted through the undergrowth. The forest whipped past around her. Daisy crossed her fingers, hoping and wishing that Melody would make it in time.

Daisy burst into the clearing just as Ash finished a lively duet with a kookaburra. Slipping off her magic boots, Daisy waved her wand over them and chanted, ‘Magic boots of green and brown, to fit my locket now shrink down.'

Slipping the tiny boots back inside her locket, Daisy weaved her way through the tables to where her family was sitting.

Nen raised an eyebrow as Daisy took her seat, but Maggie was already on the stage so there was no time for questions.

Daisy bit her lip with worry as she took in the scene around her. Melody was nowhere to be seen. Nelli had not returned. And Grevillea's table was empty.

Could Grevillea have stopped Melody from coming back?

On stage, Maggie searched the skies for Melody, confusion and worry etched across her face.

Waratah flew up to join her. The two fairies talked earnestly for a moment, then Daisy saw Waratah shake her head. She stepped forward.

‘I'm afraid that one of our songbirds has failed to appear . . .'

Then Melody flew through the trees. With a wild swoop, she landed above Maggie on the fallen log, warbling loudly that she was ready to begin.

Waratah smiled and left the stage.

Overcome with exhaustion and relief, Daisy slumped into her chair. Her eyes glistened with tears as the air filled with the beautiful warbling harmonies of Maggie and Melody.

It seemed but a moment and the music was over. The fairies in the audience cheered and whistled as Maggie was replaced by Queen Jasmine.

‘How lucky we are to have such talented fairies in our midst,' said the Queen. ‘I congratulate you all on your efforts.' She turned back to the audience. ‘I have a difficult choice ahead of me. One that I do not take lightly. While I think over the performances, I urge you all to enjoy the bounty that our beautiful forest has to offer.'

On cue, an endless stream of fairies fluttered down from the star-speckled sky, bearing platters of delicious food. There were water-ribbon roots, silkpod beans, bullrush pollen cakes . . .

The contestants were given their own special table. Daisy relished the joy and anticipation on Maggie's face as she tucked into the food before her.

Boronia didn't relax, even as she chatted to the others. She kept glancing at her mother's empty table.
It must be so difficult
, thought Daisy,
to have a mother like Grevillea.

It would be even harder for Boronia if the others found out what Grevillea had done.

‘May I be excused?' Daisy asked.

‘Again?' said Nen.

‘I left Nelli on a grevillea in the forest I should bring her back before Queen Jasmine's announcement.'

‘Be quick,' said Efa.

‘As fast as I can,' promised Daisy, hurrying towards the trees.

Grevillea and Nelli were just where she had left them, Grevillea sitting cross-legged on the branch, a vengeful scowl on her face.

‘Thank you, Nelli. You can go now,' said Daisy. ‘It's too late for her to cause any more harm.'

With a contented chirrup, Nelli flew off towards the clearing.

The moment she was gone, Grevillea jumped up and reached for her wand.

‘Is that Grevillea?' demanded a voice from below. Daisy looked down to see Nen flying towards them, a shocked expression on her face.

Nen landed on the branch beside Daisy, turning to face Grevillea. ‘Why are you pointing your wand at my daughter?'

Daisy quickly told Nen what had happened and how she had cast a spell on Grevillea.

Nen pointed her own wand at Grevillea. ‘If you want your voice back you'll drop your wand.' Grevillea glared at Nen but put the wand down. ‘Reverse the spell now, Daisy,' Nen said. ‘I need to speak with Grevillea.'

With a swish of her wand, Daisy chanted, ‘Undo.'

Nen watched Grevillea. ‘The same old tricks you pulled when we were children. Grevillea, when are you going to grow up?'

‘You always were so righteous, Nen,' Grevillea snarled. ‘But I'm a better mother. I'll do anything to help
my
daughter,'

‘That's not being a good mother,' said Daisy. ‘The best mothers are proud of their children, even if they don't win.'

‘Quite right,' said Nen. ‘Now, Daisy, I think you should head back to the Festival. Grevillea and I need to go and chat with the Queen's Keeper.'

Grevillea's face went white.

She reached for her wand but Daisy was too quick, snatching it up and handing it to Nen.

‘Thank you, Daisy,' Nen smiled. She took hold of Grevillea's elbow. ‘Right, let's be off then, shall we?'

As Nen and Grevillea flew towards the Tea-Tree House, Daisy and Vu hurried back to the Festival, arriving in time to still have some dinner. Daisy tucked in with pleasure, suddenly ravenous.

Efa leaned towards Daisy. ‘Did Nen find you? She was worried.'

Daisy nodded, swallowing a chunk of damper. ‘She found me just in time.'

Efa gave her a questioning look, so Daisy told the tale again.

‘Well, you've certainly made up for your earlier mishap,' Aunt Acacia laughed.

Vu chittered loudly in agreement.

‘Yes,' said Efa. ‘Now, who do you think will win the prize?'

‘Even if she weren't the best, I'd have to say Maggie,' Daisy answered. ‘But she was the best, wasn't she?'

‘I certainly thought so,' said Aunt Acacia.

‘Whether she wins or not, I'm so proud of her,' beamed Efa. ‘So proud of both of you.' He reached over to ruffle Daisy's hair.

Thinking about Grevillea and Boronia, Daisy felt very grateful to have the family she did.